smadi66, Author at GEOTILL provides geotechnical, construction testing and Environmental services Indianapolis Indiana

The Application of Dynamic Cone Penetration Testing (DCPT)

Assessing the level of compaction of sub-surface soils can be essential to designing and building structures, particularly those subject to transient or cycling loads. A perfect example is roadways. If the soil beneath a roadway is not compacted sufficiently, then over time the cycling loads of passing traffic will compact the soil further, leading to surface failure such as large cracks, potholes and displaced pavement. Assessing the compaction of non-cohesive soils such as fine sands is a difficult challenge. As we've noted in other blog posts, removing a sample from the ground and sending it to a lab is not only time consuming and expensive, but can be highly inaccurate in non-cohesive soils because the samples by necessity are disturbed from their sub-surface condition. The Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Test (DCPT) is one of many forms of in-situ soil characteristic tests that are designed to assess soil density. It shares some characteristics of both SPT and CPT testing, which enables it to provide a useful and in the right application can deliver a complementary data set and is less expensive and troublesome than Nuclear Density testing. The Standard Penetration Test (SPT) is done by using a sample tube which has thick walls to prevent deformation during the test. To conduct a test, a borehole is drilled to a specified depth. The sample tube is driven into the bottom of the borehole using a drop hammer of a defined weight dropped a defined distance. The number of blows (N) needed to drive the sample tube 6, 12 and 18 inches is recorded. The SPT provides a rough indication of the soil density at depth. As noted in previous posts (link here), getting accurate data for soil density can be a complex challenge. SPT provides an estimate but is not as accurate as [...]

By smadi66|December 3rd, 2019|Geotechnical California, Geotechnical Colorado, Geotechnical Virginia, Geotechnical Washington, Geotechnical Wyoming, Geotechnical Wisconsin, Geotechnical Alabama, Geotechnical West Virginia, Soil Testing, Geotechnical Arizona, Geotechnical Arkansas|0 Comments

Towable CPT Trailer – Push System on Wheels!

New - Mount an S4 CPT Push System on equipment or a trailer! Customer response to our new S4 Push System has been very impressive. The most affordable and flexible 20 ton push system available has made CPT newly accessible to a variety of service providers around the world without the need for large dedicated vehicles. In keeping with our history of cone penetration innovation we'd proud to show off our latest improvement to the S4 Push System: Towability. That's right, the S4 can now be purchased attached to our custom trailer enabling it to be driven from job site to job site behind any full size pick-up truck. [/fusion_youtube]

By smadi66|December 3rd, 2019|Introductory, Cone Penetration, Video Posts, Geotechnical Indiana, Geotechnical Delaware, Geotechnical Kentucky, Geotechnical Idaho, Geotechnical Illinois, Geotechnical Georgia, Geotechnical Connecticut, Geotechnical Florida, Geotechnical Iowa, Geotechnical Kansas|0 Comments

New Geotechnical Exploration Firm in Southeast US: PalmettoINSITU

Vertek S4 Push System In Action Extracting underground data to determine soil parameters in order to efficiently provide foundation requirements Vertek customer Michael Cox has launched PalmettoINSITU, LLC, a geotechnical exploration firm specializing in extracting and presenting more exact data from coastal, southeastern, and southwestern soils prior to development and construction projects. Geotechnical engineers will contract with PalmettoINSITU to extract underground data to determine soil parameters in order to efficiently provide foundation requirements for: Bridges, multi-story buildings, private residences, nuclear power plants, wind turbines, cellular communication towers, municipal water tanks, water treatment facilities, sinkholes, profiling top-of-rock, directional boring, and many other critical applications prior to development and construction. About Michael Cox: Michael Cox spent 13 years with S&ME, a global Top-100 engineering firm before launching PalmettoINSITU in June of 2014. Michael Cox graduated from Florida Institute of Technology with an MS in Information Technology and a BS in Computer Information Systems. Cox also earned an AS in Civil Engineering Technology, including AutoCAD and Surveying certificates from Trident Technical College in Charleston. Michael Cox is known as the "Indiana Jones" of capturing soil data in the geotechnical engineering space, due to his reputation and innovation for getting in and out of some of the most challenging site locations. Before beautiful residences, commercial buildings, or major facilities are built, their raw land is typically rough, wooded, wet, or otherwise a challenge to physically enter in order to begin testing the soil. Vertek's S4 Push System offers maximum flexibility to access these site locations due to application on a variety of equipment. Michael Cox earned over a decade of geotechnical experience working on the following projects: Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Virginia), Andrews Air Force Base (Maryland), The Boeing Facility (South Carolina), The Bellefonte Nuclear Station (Alabama), Robinson Nuclear Power Plant (South Carolina), The Google [...]

By smadi66|December 3rd, 2019|Geotechnical Massachusetts, Geotechnical Michigan, Geotechnical Montana, Geotechnical Missouri, Geotechnical Maryland, Geotechnical Minnesota, Geotechnical Mississippi, Geotechnical Nebraska, Soil Testing, Vertek Partners, Geotechnical Louisiana, Geotechnical Maine|0 Comments

An Introduction to Soil Compaction Testing

In the construction of high load structures such as dams, paved roadways and construction projects that rely on the stability of embankments; soil compaction is used to increase soil strength. Loose soil can be compacted by using mechanical equipment to remove air-voids, thereby densifying the soil and increasing it's dry unit weight. There are a variety of different benefits to soil compaction, including: prevention of soil settlement and frost damage, increased ground stability, reduced hydraulic conductivity and mitigating undesirable settlement of structures, such as paved roads, foundations and piping. Below you will find a few different examples of how a soil compaction test can be performed. Standard Proctor Compaction Test: Standard Proctor Compaction Testing can be performed in a lab. The testing first determines the maximum density achievable for the soil and uses it as a reference for field testing. It also is effective for testing the effects of moisture on the soil's density. For soil with higher densities a Modified Proctor Compaction Test which uses higher values will be necessary. Materials Needed: 1/30 cubic ft. mold 5.5 lb. hammer 12" drop 3 layers of soil 25 blows Obtain layered soil sample (via our VTK Soil Sampler if equipped) Determine the weight of the Proctor mold with the base and the collar extension Assemble the compaction tool Place soil in the mold in 3 layers Compact the soil with 25 well distributed blows of the hammer Carefully detach the collar extension and base without distributing the soil Determine the weight of the Proctor mold and the soil Oven dry the soil for 12 hours to determine the moisture content Compaction energy can be calculated with this test by using this formula: ((#blows) x (#layers of soil) x (weight of hammer) x (height drop)) / mold volume Field Tests: Field Tests [...]

By smadi66|December 3rd, 2019|Geotechnical Oregon, Geotechnical Ohio, Geotechnical North Carolina, Introductory, Geotechnical Nevada, Geotechnical New Hampshire, Geotechnical New Jersey, Geotechnical New Mexico, Geotechnical New York, Geotechnical North Dakota, Geotechnical Oklahoma|0 Comments

CPT Testing, Part 1: Introduction to the Basic Concepts

If you have ever been curious about the Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) business, you have come to the right place. In today's post we are going to take a dive into the basic concepts and what expanding into CPT can do for your engineering business. Geotechnical Engineers and CPT Testing Geotechnical engineering is a branch of civil engineering that focuses on the engineering behavior of earth materials. Geotechnical engineers have been using Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) for over 40 years to assist in the design and construction of foundations, embankments and other structures. The standardized CPT works by pushing a 55-60 degree cone into the ground at a rate of 1-2 cm per second and is used to identify the conditions in the upper 100 feet of the subsurface. The data compiled from this testing is valuable for assessing the subsurface stratigraphy associated with soft materials, discontinuous lenses, organic materials, potentially liquified materials (such as sand, silt and granule gravel), and predicting landslides or ground settling. The cone resistance in conjunction with the friction ratio can also be used to determine soil types. While these results are often more accurate when referring to textbook soils, there are some major benefits to utilizing CPT techniques as opposed to drilling. In fact, there are a number of different advantages of CPT, including: economically friendly testing, as well as its ability to perform at a fast rate and effective in characterizing large volumes of soil without having to do a large number of laboratory testing. CPT is also accurate, eliminating the possibility of disturbances to soil samples and sample storage. By leveraging CPT results, engineers can determine the best methods for several aspects of design and construction projects. Detect lenses, thin layers and sand stringers. Evaluate the thickness and extent of compressible soil [...]

By smadi66|December 3rd, 2019|Geotechnical Washington, Geotechnical Tennessee, Geotechnical Pennsylvania, Introductory, Geotechnical Rhode Island, Geotechnical South Carolina, Geotechnical South Dakota, Geotechnical Texas, Geotechnical Utah, Geotechnical Vermont, Geotechnical Virginia|0 Comments

Ensure Properties are Accurate Using Sediment Cone Testing

Obtaining a representative and undisturbed sample of cohesive sedimentary soil, such as sand, is very difficult and often times impossible. Because of this, determining the properties of sandy or fine grained soils is best done in-situ, making Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) one of the best testing methods for measuring mechanical properties of sediment. Sediment Cone Testing When conducting cone testing of sediment the horizontal stress and sediment density are the most influential parameters on the cone tip resistance. The cone penetration tip resistance is influenced by the soil properties ahead and below the tip. If you're dealing with a sand layer that is less than 70 cm., it's important to consider what types of stratification it is located between. For example, if it's located between deposits of soft clay the CPT may not reach it's full value within the sand layer, meaning the relative density of the sand may be underestimated. By monitoring the CPT pore pressures, these influencers can be identified. The substantial effects of soil compressibility on CPT measurements are considered to be an advantage if they are identified correctly. Compressibility is one of the key factors to successfully determining soil properties and classifying soil types. Using CPT, relative density and friction measurements soils can be broken up into high, medium and low compressibility. By classifying sediment compressibility during cone testing you can better measure the particular sediment properties. Sand for example, originates from quartz or silica; it contains hard materials, does not have cleavage planes and is resistant to weathering. Certain sands, for example siliceous sand, contain trace portions of other minerals, like chlorite. Compared to other types of soil, the compressibility of sand is most complicated because it is dependent on several different factors, including: grain size and shape, particle crush-ability, angularity, grain mineralogy, void ratio, [...]

By smadi66|December 3rd, 2019|Geotechnical Wisconsin, Geotechnical Alabama, Geotechnical Connecticut, Geotechnical West Virginia, Experienced, Geotechnical Arizona, Geotechnical Arkansas, Geotechnical California, Geotechnical Colorado, Geotechnical Delaware, Geotechnical Wyoming|0 Comments

Incotec Q&A: Cone Testing in Bolivia

CPT in South America Vertek's S4 Push System has made entry into the CPT market accessible for a growing list of geotechnical professionals. Here on our CPT U blog we often provide a closer look at some of these organizations and how their regional markets operate. One such company is a Bolivian construction and engineering group that's been in operation since 1968, but has just recently added CPT to their offerings thanks to a Vertek S4. Read on for our Q&A with Mario A. Teceros of Incotec. Provide a brief background on your company. How/when did it originate? It was established in 1968. Is one of the oldest operating construction companies in Bolivia. It was initially created to build urban infrastructure and housing. Rapidly entered to the civil works and the deep foundations market. Incotec also started with the first geotechnical equipment (SPT and DPM) in 1968. Since then, beside the experience in different type of projects (ranging from concrete structures to industrial constructions and dams), the speciality in deep and special foundations has been the main "stamp" of Incotec. Is family company and now the third generation is working. What is the scope and focus of Incotec today? More specialization in all the fields of its activities, mainly with the incorporation of cutting edge equipments for soil tests (SCPTu from Vertek), deep foundation construction (BG18, BG20 and BG 30 from Bauer, with tools for Full Displacement Piles, Cutter Soil Mixing, cased piles) and quality controls (From Pile Dynamics, PIT, Cross Hole and PDA). But the main product developed by Incotec during the last decade is the EXpander Body, a steel folded "balloon" that is installed at the tip of a pile or an anchor. The EB is then injected with grout to expand it, compacting the surrounding soil and [...]

By smadi66|December 3rd, 2019|Geotechnical Indiana, Geotechnical Kentucky, Geotechnical Illinois, Geotechnical Georgia, Geotechnical Florida, Geotechnical Iowa, Geotechnical Kansas, Vertek Partners, Geotechnical Idaho, Geotechnical Louisiana, Geotechnical Maine|0 Comments

CPT Testing 101: Basic Concepts

A Cone Penetration Test is used to collect key subsurface information from soil by pushing a hardened cone shape per ASTM International standards, deep into the ground with the help of steel rods, a hydraulic ram and, in most cases, a very heavy truck. CPT is typically used to determine the composition, distribution and strength of soil, sediment and other geological subsurface features like clay, sand, bedrock and even contaminants. The information gathered by Cone Penetration Testing can be used to inform important business decisions, like how to design the foundations of a structure. This helps prevent any future issues that could arise from building a structure blind. Of course, CPT testing isn’t the only method of soil investigation, but it is among the most commonly used and accepted, and for good reason. For starters, CPT testing offers quick collection and interpretation of field data; in fact, it is up to three times faster than traditional methods. In addition, CPT testing eliminates drill cuttings, while also being economical, environmentally friendly, safe and adaptive to various weather and soil conditions. In other words, CPT is the clear, superior choice for soil testing in the majority of situations. Best of all, thanks to developments like Vertek’s S4 Push System, it’s possible to perform CPT testing with nothing more than the CPT System and a commercial skidsteer. For a closer look at how CPT stacks up against competing methods of soil investigation, check out our ‘Mud Rotary Drilling vs. CPT’ post. If you're still curious about what expanding into the CPT business can do you your business, subscribe to our blog, or take a closer look at the video below! [/fusion_youtube]

By smadi66|December 3rd, 2019|Geotechnical Missouri, Geotechnical Maryland, Geotechnical Minnesota, Geotechnical Mississippi, Geotechnical Nebraska, Introductory, Geotechnical Massachusetts, Geotechnical Montana, Geotechnical Nevada, Geotechnical New Hampshire, Geotechnical Michigan|0 Comments

Building a CPT Truck in Less Than 3 Minutes (Video)

This short video compresses about a month of construction time on a 20 Ton CPT Truck built by Vertek CPT at our Vermont facility during the summer of 2014. CPT Trucks are popular for those looking for maximum push force and all-in-one mobility. This truck will be delivered to the customer upon completion of the internal components. Large trucks provide greater push force and improved working environs while smaller trucks provide greater mobility in tight spaces. Contact us to see which is best for you. Our new S4 Push System also provides a path to entering the CPT market with limited investment. [/fusion_youtube]

By smadi66|December 3rd, 2019|Cone Penetration, Vertek Partners, Video Posts, Geotechnical New Jersey, Geotechnical New Mexico, Geotechnical New York, Geotechnical North Dakota, Geotechnical Oklahoma, Geotechnical Ohio, Geotechnical Oregon, Geotechnical Pennsylvania, Geotechnical Rhode Island, Geotechnical North Carolina|0 Comments

What to Consider Before Buying a Used CPT Rig

When faced with the prospect of a major purchase, it’s common to look into the possibility of buying used. In most circumstances, this is a perfectly valid option with a number of upsides, the most obvious of which being a lower upfront investment. However, when it comes to buying a used CPT Rig, you might be better off buying a new rig from a trusted vendor. Here’s why. Used Means Used First and foremost, Cone Penetration Testing is too important to leave up to chance. Sure, your used CPT Rig may appear in fine working order and you may have acquired it from a reputable seller, but there’s no getting around the simple fact that a used rig has a higher chance of failing than a brand new one. This point is further compounded when you consider the fact that even the best used CPT Rig dealer can’t match the expertise of a CPT Rig manufacturer. Expertise Straight from the Source When you buy a CPT Rig from Vertek CPT, you’re also getting access to our knowledgeable technical sales staff; something used CPT Rig sellers can’t offer. Additionally, in some instances, Vertek CPT will provide comprehensive training and will even accompany you to your first job site to maximize your chances of success. You can’t get that kind of service or expertise from a used CPT Rig dealer. Even if you think you have enough experience with CPT Rigs to ensure success with a used rig, though, it’s also worth noting that not every CPT Rig is right for every task. A Wide Variety of CPT Rigs If you have a broad enough knowledge base to feel comfortable buying and setting up a used CPT Rig, then you probably also know that there are many kinds of CPT Rigs. Cone [...]

By smadi66|December 3rd, 2019|Introductory, Geotechnical South Carolina, Geotechnical South Dakota, Geotechnical Texas, Geotechnical Utah, Geotechnical Vermont, Geotechnical Virginia, Geotechnical Washington, Geotechnical Tennessee, Geotechnical Wisconsin, Geotechnical West Virginia|0 Comments

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